TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — The 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group hosted both Weapons System Evaluation Program East and West from Nov. 2-13. The WSEPs included more than 86 aircraft participating at the two installations in live-fire air-to-air and air-to-ground evaluations.

At Hill Air Force Base, this WSEP West was especially unique for two reasons: more than half the evaluation took place at night, and for the first time in recent history, the participation of AC-130s from Air Force Special Operations Command.

“Through having units from AFSOC participate, we are able to collect more data and give our Airmen a different feel and perspective of their job,” said Staff Sgt. Trisha Himes, weapons systems evaluator, 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron. “It’s really unique to have a gunship involved and see how they operate.”

Himes’ job is to evaluate and analyze the weapons load process during WSEP West, ensuring safety and accuracy. She also explained how unique it is for weapons and ammo troops to integrate as closely together as they do for WSEP, and that experience provides greater understanding for the entire evaluation.

“It’s really important for us to do our jobs well, because it impacts people going down range,” said Himes. “For them to get this experience stateside and under evaluation ensures they can do their job effectively while deployed.”

In addition to the AC-130s, participants in WSEP West included F-35s from Hill Air Force Base, F-16s from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., and B-2s from Whiteman Air Force Base Mo. Altogether, these platforms released various weapons, such as GBU-31, GBU-39, AGR-20, AGM- 88, AGM-114, and AGM-167s.

Meanwhile at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., alongside Checkered Flag, the 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadrons managed the employment of more than 50 missiles in nearly 400 sorties during WSEP East.

“It’s always a great opportunity to run a WSEP at the same as Checkered Flag,” said Lt. Col. Orion ‘Rhino’ Vail, commander, 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron. “The execution of the two events enables unparalleled joint warfighter training, air-to-air weapons employment for first-time shooters, and valuable weapons data for emerging joint platforms.”

WSEP East included F-35s from Hill Air Force Base, F-22s from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, F-15Cs from the California Air National Guard, F-15Es from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, and F/A-18Es from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.

These WSEPs were supported by the other essential squadrons in the 53rd Weapons Evaluation group — the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron, the 53rd Test Support Squadron and the 81st Air Control Squadron, who provided WETSTONE Control for both WSEP East and Checkered Flag. Together, the 53rd WEG worked within COVID-19 restrictions to ensure a safe and beneficial WSEP for Airmen across our Air Force, as well as sailors from our U.S. Navy joint partners, at both Hill and Tyndall Air Force Bases.